In the shadowy corridors of the human psyche, where the boundaries between the real and the unreal blur, Amparo Dávila's "The Houseguest" emerges as a masterpiece of psychological horror. Through a collection of stories that entwine the ordinary with the grotesque, Dávila probes the depths of human obsession, fear, and desire. Each tale is a meticulously crafted gem, where characters confront not just the external embodiments of their deepest anxieties but the darker aspects of their own selves. Dávila's narrative is a delicate dance on the knife-edge of sanity, where each step could lead either to enlightenment or to the abyss. "The Houseguest" marks Dávila's triumphant introduction to the English-speaking world, revealing her as a storyteller of unparalleled skill. Her stories, reminiscent of Kafka and Poe, yet uniquely her own, pull the reader into a vortex of the surreal and the disturbing. With each turn of the page, Dávila masterfully unravels the intricacies of the human mind, leaving a sense of both awe and unease. This collection is not merely read but experienced, leaving an indelible mark on the reader, a haunting reminder of the power of fear and the fragility of sanity.